Dec. 31 -- The makers of Smuttynose and Harpoon beers are forming a marriage to become New England's largest producer of craft beer.
Hampton-based Finestkind Brewing is merging with Mass. Bay Brewing Company to form Barrel One Collective, the companies announced Tuesday.
Barrel One Collective will begin operating a retail taproom at 215 Canal St. in downtown Manchester starting this spring in a building owned by Manchester businessman Travis York and his brother, Kyle.
"I think this is great news for New Hampshire and New England and the national craft beer scene," York said by phone Tuesday.
The Yorks are investing $6.25 million to transform an old industrial building at 215 Canal St. into a mixed-use development, to be known as Queen City Center.
The beer space includes a taproom, a full bar, a scratch kitchen and an outdoor beer garden, York said.
Other tenants are Clyde's Cupcakes, Barre Life, retailer Wicked Joyful, City Club Golf ( a members-only simulated golf club) a beauty studio and space for a content and video production studio for York's GYK Antler marketing company.
Barrel One Collective will operate breweries and/or retail businesses in Hampton and also in Massachusetts, Vermont and New York. It will house 14 brands and operate eight brewery-taprooms across four states.
The new organization will become the largest craft producer in New England and 14th largest in the country, the announcement said.
Finestkind Brewing is anchored by Smuttynose Brewing Co. and located on a 14-acre farm in Hampton.
Since October 2023, Finestkind Brewing has acquired Five Boroughs Brewing Co. of Brooklyn, New York and Wachusett Brewing Co. of Westminster, Mass.
"Finestkind Brewing is a fellow Northeast craft trailblazer that shares our passion for brewing excellence, innovation, and creating quality brews our communities can be proud of," said Dan Kenary, co-founder and CEO of Mass. Bay Brewing Company.
"With a combined 75 years of craft brewing expertise, this merger represents our commitment to setting these companies on an exciting growth trajectory and continuing to bring the very best products to our fervent customer base," he said.
Mass. Bay Brewing produces Harpoon, UFO, Long Trail, Clown Shoes, Otter Creek, Catamount and The Shed.
Finestind Brewing produces Smuttynose, Wachusett and Five Boroughs.